U.S. Chamber Career Fair Connects Transitioning Service Members with Prospective Employers

Event at Walter Reed Army Medical Center Draws Dozens of the Nation's Leading Companies

WASHINGTON, D.C.—More than a hundred wounded and transitioning members of the military met with some of the nation's leading employers from various industries today as part of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce's Warrior Transition Career Fair at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. U.S. Chamber President and CEO Thomas J. Donohue spoke to the attendees, thanking them for their service.

"It's an honor to be in the presence of so many heroes today," Donohue said. "The American people enjoy the blessings of liberty because of men and women like you. Not only is it important for companies to find employment opportunities for veterans, it's also good business."

Donohue said the U.S. Chamber is encouraging its members to hire veterans. As Americans continue their struggle to find jobs in a troubled economy, veterans have had an especially tough time finding work. The unemployment rate for veterans having left the military in the past three years is double the national average.

Ray Jefferson, assistant secretary for the Veterans' Employment and Training Service (VETS) at the U.S. Department of Labor, participated in today's event. VETS works to provide veterans and service members the necessary resources to succeed in the 21st century workforce. Jefferson lost all five fingers on his left hand during Special Forces training while attempting to protect his fellow soldiers from a hand grenade that detonated prematurely. A graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, Jefferson was appointed to his current role by President Barack Obama.

Today's career fair is a follow-up to the National Chamber Foundation's "Hiring Our Heroes" events and part of the Chamber's ongoing push to help create 20 million jobs over the next decade. As part of the Chamber's Campaign for Free Enterprise, U.S. Chamber executives are traveling the country to announce state-by-state job growth goals and to engage business leaders, community officials and American citizens in a dialogue about the role of free enterprise in job creation and long-term economic prosperity.

The U.S. Chamber is the world's largest business federation representing more than 3 million businesses and organizations of every size, sector, and region.

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